Protecting Key Species

The work of WFEN focuses on Key Species whichwe define broadly to include:

Any species defined by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened, and/or other legislation including national laws where the venture is located;

Any species of concern including Keystone species, Indicator species, and native predators. These are species that may not be listed by IUCN but which play a critical functional role in the ecosystem;

Other species that are important in the local context but which may not have legal protection for a variety of reasons;

Because many species face context-specific threats, WFEN may define Key Species, and thus confer protection, on other species of concern on a case-by-case basis.

By definition many Key Species also act as Umbrella species which means by ensuring protection (including habitat and corridors) for these wildlife you are by proxy protecting many other species of plants and wildlife.

Some of the Key Species WFEN conservation enterprises are currently working to protect across 5 continents include: